Physiotherapy Studies: Paediatrics MSc

London, Bloomsbury

This postgraduate programme integrates the clinical, academic and research components of paediatric physiotherapy practice. You will focus on the management of paediatric patients with cardiorespiratory, neurological and musculoskeletal disorders. Flexibility in the selection of modules means your particular interests can be accommodated.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2024/25)
£15,100
£7,550
Pathways include:
Cardiorespiratory (TMSPHHSPSC01)
Musculoskeletal (TMSPHHSPSM01)
Neurophysiotherapy (TMSPHHSPSN01)
Paediatrics (TMSPHHSPSP01)

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2024/25)
£34,400
£17,200
Pathways include:
Cardiorespiratory (TMSPHHSPSC01)
Musculoskeletal (TMSPHHSPSM01)
Neurophysiotherapy (TMSPHHSPSN01)
Paediatrics (TMSPHHSPSP01)

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
5 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2024
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 28 Jun 2024

Applications closed

Applicants who do not require a visa: 16 Oct 2023 – 30 Aug 2024

Applications closed

Entry requirements

Normally a minimum of an upper second-class UK Bachelor's degree or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard in physiotherapy; or an approved diploma in physiotherapy together with evidence of appropriate clinical and/or teaching experience and a commitment to continuing professional development.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

This programme offers you the opportunity to extend your knowledge of the key practical and theoretical aspects of paediatric physiotherapy. You will challenge the foundations of established but poorly justified treatments, develop and undertake clinical research and learn about new and emerging treatment options. You will also benefit from the teaching and clinical mentorship from recognised experts in paediatric physiotherapy.

Who this course is for

This degree is suitable for World Physiotherapy recognised qualified physiotherapists with less than two years paediatric experience, or for experienced practitioners who prefer not to undertake clinical placements for various reasons including restrictions on study leave. Although you do not need to have two years of clinical experience, stronger applicants will have at least 12 months post qualifying, beyond their internship, supervised work within the field of paediatric. Applications without this will be considered much less favourably.

What this course will give you

UCL is a world-leading university offering well-established and popular postgraduate physiotherapy programmes which are highly regarded both locally and internationally. Our close relationship with Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children means that much of our research and teaching is carried out on a joint basis.

Lectures, tutorials and workshops are delivered by recognised experts in physiotherapy practice.

Students on our physiotherapy programmes come to UCL from all over the world. This cross-fertilisation of international clinical experiences and ideas generates a powerful and inspirational platform for postgraduate physiotherapy learning.

The foundation of your career

This programme aims to transform the way you think about expert patient care and the theoretical foundation for paediatric physiotherapy clinical practice. The programme provides you with rigorous, evidence-based training in the best research and clinical practice, which is advantageous when applying for physiotherapy clinical, educational or research posts.

Employability

The programme will enable you to pursue a career in academia or research or to pursue more senior clinical or management positions within your chosen career field. Recent physiotherapy graduates have pursued senior careers in healthcare policy, university lecturing, private practice, management or highly specialist clinical practice. Several past physiotherapy students have used the MSc successfully to gain funding for PhD studies.

Networking

The Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health offers seven MSc programmes as well as an MRes in Child Health encompassing a wide range of topics. Our students come from diverse academic and professional backgrounds, from the UK and overseas providing great networking opportunities within and across programmes. We hold social events throughout the year for the whole student cohort to enable networking between students. Students on the master's programmes have the opportunity to join GOS ICH events such as the Otto Woolf lectures hosted by the research and teaching departments. These cover a variety of topics and provide an opportunity to hear from national and international experts and to network at the social event that usually accompanies these events.  

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of face-to-face, online teaching and self-directed learning. 

The programme is delivered through a combination of teaching and self-directed learning. Assessment is through written assignments, oral presentations, multiple-choice tests, submission of the literature review and research proposal, assessed coursework, unseen and prior disclosure written examinations, and the dissertation with an oral presentation.

Each 15 credit module equates to 150 student effort hours. Most modules are delivered as blocks of study, normally over six consecutive days. Face to face or online teaching for each of these days is normally from 9 - 5pm. Face to face/online teaching hours normally comprises about one-third of the study hours expected for the module.

A Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits, full-time nine months, flexible study 2-5 years) is offered. Students take 75 credits of core modules and 45 credits of optional modules. A Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits, part-time 12 months) is offered. Students take 60 credits of core modules.

Modules

Full-time students will take modules to the total of 180 credits over one year. All students will take the compulsory modules: Physiotherapy Research and Dissemination (CHLD0013), Applied Statistics for Health Research I (CHLD0064 ) and Research Project (CHLD0026). Students will then need to choose a minimum of two compulsory modules from this list:  

  • Paediatric Neuro-Physiotherapy (CHLD0017 )
  • Paediatric Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy (CHLD0018 )
  • Paediatric Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (CHLD0020)
  • The Young Athlete: Injury Prevention and Management (CHLD0022)

Depending on which compulsory modules are chosen from the list above, the remainder of your 180 credits will be made up of optional modules. Please see below the list of optional modules.

In Term 1, you are likely to focus on your compulsory modules, as these modules set the foundation for your degree.  

In Term 2, while you may still be completing your compulsory modules, you will also begin optional modules and developing the concepts you learnt in Term 1. You will be choosing your research topic during this time and beginning work on this project.

In Terms 2 and 3, you will work on your research project, as well as completing your optional modules. You will hand in your research project towards the end of the academic year. 

Part-time students will take modules to the total of 180 credits over two years. All students will take the compulsory modules: Physiotherapy Research and Dissemination (CHLD0013), Applied Statistics for Health Research I (CHLD0064 ) and Research Project (CHLD0026). Students will then need to choose a minimum of two compulsory modules from this list:  

  • Paediatric Neuro-Physiotherapy (CHLD0017 )
  • Paediatric Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy (CHLD0018 )
  • Paediatric Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (CHLD0020)
  • The Young Athlete: Injury Prevention and Management (CHLD0022)

Depending on which compulsory modules are chosen from the list above, the remainder of your 180 credits will be made up of optional modules. Please see below the list of optional modules.

In the first year, you will need to undertake 90 credits comprising both core and optional modules. In the second year, you will register on the remaining 90 credits including the 60-credit research project module.

Modular/flexible students will take modules to the total of 180 credits and will have five years to complete the programme. All students will take the compulsory modules: Physiotherapy Research and Dissemination (CHLD0013), Applied Statistics for Health Research I (CHLD0064 ) and Research Project (CHLD0026). Students will then need to choose a minimum of two compulsory modules from this list:  

  • Paediatric Neuro-Physiotherapy (CHLD0017 )
  • Paediatric Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy (CHLD0018 )
  • Paediatric Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (CHLD0020)
  • The Young Athlete: Injury Prevention and Management (CHLD0022)

Depending on which compulsory modules are chosen from the list above, the remainder of your 180 credits will be made up of optional modules. Please see below the list of optional modules.

The 60-credit research project is usually taken in the final year.

Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Physiotherapy Studies: Paediatrics. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Physiotherapy Studies: Paediatrics. Upon successful completion of 60 credits, you will be awarded a PG Cert in Physiotherapy Studies: Paediatrics.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble accessable.co.uk. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2024/25) £15,100 £7,550
Tuition fees (2024/25) £34,400 £17,200

Pathways include:
Cardiorespiratory (TMSPHHSPSC01)
Musculoskeletal (TMSPHHSPSM01)
Neurophysiotherapy (TMSPHHSPSN01)
Paediatrics (TMSPHHSPSP01)

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this programme.

For more information on additional costs for prospective students please go to our estimated cost of essential expenditure at Accommodation and living costs.

Funding your studies

The Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health Bursary

Up to ten students registered for an MSc or MRes at the UCL Great Ormond Street Institute for Child Health can receive up to £3,000 towards the fees for a full-time student OR up to £1,500 per year for a student taking an MSc on a part-time basis, paid over two years. The award amount will be deducted from the cost of fees at the start of the programme.

Find out more.

External funding opportunities:

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications and £115 for paper applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • why you want to study Physiotherapy Studies: Paediatrics at graduate level
  • why you want to study Physiotherapy Studies: Paediatrics at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to this programme
  • how your personal, academic and professional background meets the demands of a challenging academic environment
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree
  • what is your research experience and research interests.

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.